An important principle of an English garden is to have something blooming at all times. This is especially easy to accomplish in April, when lots of plants are blooming in the garden.

Depending on the area of the country, some of these April flowers may bloom earlier or later. So be sure to check out my lists of March flowers and May flowers.

PERENNIALS:

Helleborus orientalis or Lenten Rose, can bloom for months. Flowers are usually muted colors of pinks and reds.Pulmonaria or Lungwort has white or blue flowers and spotted leaves.Primula vulgaris or English Primrose have deeply veined leaves and come in a wide variety of colorsPolygonatum odoratum or Solomon’s Seal has white flowers dangling from long, arching branches.Aubrieta deltoidea or false rock cress, has lilac, pink, or purple flowersBergenia blooms in various shades of pinks and reds.Dicentra spectabilis or common bleeding heart comes in white or various shades of pink.Arabis procurrens white flowers and small, light green leavesIberis sempervirens white flowers similar to Arabis, but has dark, evergreen leaves.

BULBS:Anemone blanda comes in whites, reds, blues and pinksCrocus blues, purples and whitesDaffodils more colors now available than you might imagine – pinks, salmon, and pale green in addition to the usual yellow, orange and white.Hyacinths -- adds wonderful fragrance to the garden, especially near the door. Blue, purple, pink and white.early Tulips wide range of colors.Hyacinthoides non-scripta English bluebells – a must! These won’t bloom until early May in colder parts of the country.Iris reticulata pale to deep bluesPuschkinia libanotica whites and blues

SHRUBS:

ForsythiaErica or Heath, blooms from late fall to early spring. Flowers usually purple or white. Hardy to Zone 6 in U.S.

TREES:Magnolia need shelter from late frosts but the flowers are glorious!